The word Meteora means literally 'hovering in the air' which suits as the name for these monasteries in Kalambaka, Greece.The area of Meteora was originally settled by monks who lived in caves within the rocks during the 11th Century. But as the times became more unsure during an age of Turkish occupation, they climbed higher and higher up the rock face until they were living on the inaccessable peaks where they were able to build by bringing material and people up with ladders and baskets and build the first monasteries. This was also how the monasteries were reached until the nineteen twenties! However, now there are roads, pathways and steps to the top.
There are a number of different monasteries in the area such as, the Agia Triada, Varlaam Monastery, Monastery of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas, Roussanou Monastery, Megalo Meteoro, and Agios Stefanos is the only convent in Meteora.
There is a 2 euro fee to enter each of the monasteries and proper attire is required. Women must wear skirts below the knees though in some monasteries these are provided for women in shorts or slacks. Men's arms must be covered and they must wear long pants. Monasteries are closed between one and three every day. The monasteries themselves, besides providing an incredible view are full of religious treasures, wall paintings, icons and libraries rich in old manuscripts. Most of them were built in the 1500's and then added to over the centuries.
